Daniel cleared his throat, still not fully engaging eye contact. “Yes, I’ve reviewed it. We need to ensure our allegations contain sufficient factual matter to state a plausible claim for relief under the Equal Protection Clause, as established in Ashcroft v. Iqbal.”

Juniper turned to Daniel, hoping for his support. “Daniel, you’ve reviewed the complaint in detail. What are your thoughts on the sufficiency of our allegations?”

Daniel shifted uncomfortably, his eyes fixed on the papers before him. “I… I think they’re adequate,” he mumbled, not offering any further elaboration.

Frustration heated Juniper’s cheeks . Is that all he has to say? Does he think my questions are stupid? She felt exposed, like a student called on in class without the right answer.

She pressed on, trying to maintain her composure. “Could you elaborate on how our complaint meets the plausibility standard set forth in Iqbal?”

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Daniel seemed to shrink in his seat, avoiding eye contact with everyone. “It… it meets the standard,” he said finally, his voice barely audible.

Juniper felt a knot forming in her stomach, a physical manifestation of her growing unease. She took a slow, deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and focus on the task at hand.